FER Course
The Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course is a 10-week online program that brings together a wide variety of knowledge users including families, researchers, educators, community members, and health professionals. It is for anyone interested in working together on child health and neurodevelopmental disability research.The course teaches the principles of FER and includes discussions about the practical side of research partnerships. Instructors work to create a safe space for trying out ideas and methods, helping learners build skills and confidence in both the theory and practice of family engagement in research. By the end of the course, FER Course graduates are:
- knowledgeable about family engagement in research
- capable and confident to partner on research projects
Upon successful completion of the course, learners receive a McMaster University Certificate of Completion.
To learn more about the FER Course view the brochure or contact us by email ([email protected]).
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Applications for the Fall 2026 & Winter 2027 Family Engagement in Research Course Are Now Open
Fall 2026 Cohort: Monday September 21 to Sunday November 29
Winter 2027 Cohort: Monday January 26 to Sunday April 5
Are you a researcher, clinician, student, or person with lived and living experience/family member interested in child health research and want to learn more about how to engage in meaningful research partnerships? Don’t miss your chance to join the Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course, offered by CanChild McMaster University.
Why Join the FER Course?
- Learn how to build meaningful partnerships between families and researchers.
- Collaborate on a project and receive hands-on engagement practice.
- Grow your skills and confidence in family engagement.
Learn more about why to join FER course
How to Apply:
Connect With Us:
Questions? Reach out to Sam at [email protected].
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Applications are open
Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course Applications close July 17
Gain essential knowledge and skills in family engagement in neurodevelopmental disability and child health research while earning a McMaster University Certificate of Completion.
- 10 weeks | 3-4 hours/week
- Weekly group work & activities
- Four 2-hour online classes
- Learn alongside researchers, trainees, people with lived experience, and families.
- Earn a McMaster University Certificate of Completion
The course fee for individual learners is $800 CAD, which includes full access to all course materials and learning activities. Researchers, including trainees, are expected to cover the course fee through professional development funds, a research grant, their institution, or an employer, where available. At this time, scholarships are not available for trainees.
Fall 2026 Cohort: Monday September 21 to Sunday November 29
Winter 2027 Cohort: Monday January 26 to Sunday April 5
Course Expectations:
- Review weekly course content. This includes readings, resources, and video content. All materials are provided through the FER learning platform program.
- Attend 4 two-hour Zoom meetings in weeks 1, 4, 6, and 10. You will be expected to attend all sessions, with exception for unforeseen circumstances. Multiple missed online sessions may result in withdrawal from the course and/or not receiving the micro-credential.
- Work collaboratively with a group assigned by the course instructors in the first week of the course. A large component of this course includes group work. The purpose of group work is to practice working collaboratively in a team that includes researchers, people with lived experience, and family partners.
- Meet with your assigned group for 30-60 minutes outside of class time each week. You will be responsible for communicating with your group to find a time to meet.
- Develop a resource about family engagement in research with your assigned group. You will share your groups’ process of working together in a PowerPoint presentation given by your group in Week 10.
Graduate Testimonials:
- "This course has been fulfilling in so many ways. I have learned a lot, but it was the conversations and connections that ring true" – Family Member
- ”The course was exceptionally interesting and helpful. I really liked working with my small team throughout the course. I think the readings and resources were also helpful, and I look forward to sharing them with colleagues on my research teams.” – Researcher
- “I think it definitely gave me more confidence in how to engage families… Or how to be engaged as a family because it also identified and highlighted some ways to do it…. I learned some actual steps in what it takes to do that, so knowing how to do it gives you the confidence on how to ask for it.”– Family Member
- “I think the course was really structured to give you a lot of tools and confidence to be able to do family engagement.”– Researcher
- “I highly recommend this course! With this course I was able to learn a lot about the research phases and how I could be engaged in research as a caregiver. The instructors and participants were fully engaged, the discussions were always respectful and the readings were right on target. An enlightening experience about Family Engagement in Research!” – Family Member
- “Oh, my overall experience I enjoyed it, I loved it. It was really a fulfilling opportunity to be able to focus in on research that I am passionate about but to expand it to a different perspective that I can still relate to, because my research is mainly qualitative.” – Researcher